Here's an original Depression recipe appropriately called Poor Man's Casserole:
1 small head cabbage
2 large potatoes
I large onion, diced
1 1/2 lbs hamburger
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 stick butter
1/2 tsp salt
pepper
dash of paprika
Cut cabbage into cubes, salt and pepper to taste, and cook until well done. Drain. Peel and quarter potatoes, salt and cook until well done. Drain potatoes and smash with butter, making sure they are on the dry side. Put hamburger in skillet with onions, salt and pepper, and cook until well done. Drain off all the fat and add cumin. Put cabbage in baking dish to level of about 3 inches. Put meat on top of cabbage. Put potatoes on top of meat. Sprinkle with paprika. Cook in 350 oven for 25 minutes. Makes 4 large servings. The author adds: "In a casserole you have your whole meal: meat, vegetable and starch."
From "Great Depression Recipes."
-- Gail Shepherd
**disparaging Depression-era slang for one who overindulges, food-wise